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What Causes High Fever And Loss Of Taste?
Question: I have hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes, I'm am 65 yrs old. After a fever of 103* for 3 days, unknown cause, no symptoms, I lost a lot of my sense of taste. This was about 2 years ago. Is there anything that might help? I can taste salt and a small amt of sweet. Thanks for any help.
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day. Noted your case history.
I hope your diabetes and hypothyroidism are well controlled now. Usually during viral fever episodes, people tend to get a temporary loss of taste, ,which improves after recoery from fever.
Taste sensation in tongue is carried by two nerves from brain ( cranial nerves). 7th and 9th nerves. Injury to these nerves by fever itself or by diabetes can cause loss of taste sensation. It may also be due to loss or injury of taste buds .
Another cause of taste dysfunction is due to dryness of mouth. Nose blocks can also cause loss of taste.
We need to find out the reason for your problem. Identifying the reason may help to find a solution as well. You need a thorough neurology evaluation.
Could you please let me know about your current diabetes and hypothyroidism medicines?
Do you smoke? Alcohol intake ?
I would appreciate a reply
Regards
Binu
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day. Noted your case history.
I hope your diabetes and hypothyroidism are well controlled now. Usually during viral fever episodes, people tend to get a temporary loss of taste, ,which improves after recoery from fever.
Taste sensation in tongue is carried by two nerves from brain ( cranial nerves). 7th and 9th nerves. Injury to these nerves by fever itself or by diabetes can cause loss of taste sensation. It may also be due to loss or injury of taste buds .
Another cause of taste dysfunction is due to dryness of mouth. Nose blocks can also cause loss of taste.
We need to find out the reason for your problem. Identifying the reason may help to find a solution as well. You need a thorough neurology evaluation.
Could you please let me know about your current diabetes and hypothyroidism medicines?
Do you smoke? Alcohol intake ?
I would appreciate a reply
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Meds include Metformin 500mg per day; Glipizide XL 5mg BID; Synthroid 75MCG per day. No tobacco or alcohol use. As I said before, the loss if taste occurred following a high fever with no known cause. What would a neurological exam involve? If it is neurological, are there any treatment protocols?
Thank you very much!
XXXXXXX
Thank you very much!
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the quick reply.
Metformin in big doses can cause taste dysfunction ( metallic taste in mouth) in some people. But you are only on a small dose. Glipizide and Synthroid do not cause the taste problems.
Neurology evaluation involves testing the taste sensation in different parts of toungue and mouth. They test with sweet, salt,sour and bitter objects to find out which sensation is lost. Different sensations are appreciated at different areas of tongue. Again 7th nerve carries taste from front part of tongue and 9th nerve carries taste from back part of tongue.
Testing these areas with sweet, salt and bitter solutions will help to identify the cause. There are new methods like electrical stimulation etc to improve the lost function.
Regards
Binu
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the quick reply.
Metformin in big doses can cause taste dysfunction ( metallic taste in mouth) in some people. But you are only on a small dose. Glipizide and Synthroid do not cause the taste problems.
Neurology evaluation involves testing the taste sensation in different parts of toungue and mouth. They test with sweet, salt,sour and bitter objects to find out which sensation is lost. Different sensations are appreciated at different areas of tongue. Again 7th nerve carries taste from front part of tongue and 9th nerve carries taste from back part of tongue.
Testing these areas with sweet, salt and bitter solutions will help to identify the cause. There are new methods like electrical stimulation etc to improve the lost function.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor XXXXXXX I will ask my Internist to make a referral to a neuro Doc.for possible evaluation. I will also try B12 and zinc. I read that they could possibly help. But I'll definitely go for a neuro exam.
You have been helpful and kind. Thank you so much. Have a great day!
XXXXXX
You have been helpful and kind. Thank you so much. Have a great day!
XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There is absolutly no harm in trying B12 and zinc. They are harmless in normal doses. Glad that you chose to see a neurologist. A careful neuro exam would surely throw some light.( infact, your internist can do it and if he find anything abnormal, only then you need to go to neurologist. Internists are trained in doing such neuro exams).
Hope i answered your query. You are welcome to ask more questions. But if you feel, you may close the query now.
Wish you good health
Regards
Binu
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There is absolutly no harm in trying B12 and zinc. They are harmless in normal doses. Glad that you chose to see a neurologist. A careful neuro exam would surely throw some light.( infact, your internist can do it and if he find anything abnormal, only then you need to go to neurologist. Internists are trained in doing such neuro exams).
Hope i answered your query. You are welcome to ask more questions. But if you feel, you may close the query now.
Wish you good health
Regards
Binu
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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